GOLDEN YEARS: Javelin thrower became author

THIS javelin thrower was a champion sportsman before becoming well known in another field.

The photo appeared in Golden Years on February 16, asking who the dab hand was at javelin throwing.

That man was Ron Kerridge, of Sheridan Road, Worthing, who is now known for writing local history books.

A reader contacted us to say they recognised the man in the photo before Ron got in contact himself.

Now 74, Ron was the Sussex champion of javelin on three occasions, in 1959, 1960 and 1963, and he held the record for the longest thrown javelin distance between 1962 and 1981 at the Worthing and District Harriers club.

He was also picked to represent the southern counties in an Amateur Athletic Association match against Wales, before his career was ended in 1963 when he suffered an injury to his elbow.

Ron also played as Worthing first team’s goalkeeper, was a champion shot-putter, and ran marathons until 10 years ago.

He said: “I was quite surprised because I’m always looking for other people to see if I can identify them, but I thought ‘oh, that’s me’. You don’t expect pictures like that to turn up these days.”